♥Newcomer Guide

Healthcare in Canada

Everything newcomers need to know about Canada's universal healthcare system — from who qualifies to what each province covers.

Overview of Canada's Healthcare System

Understanding how Medicare works across the country

How It Works

✓Canada has universal healthcare (Medicare) funded by taxes — no out-of-pocket costs for covered services
✓Each province and territory manages its own health plan with its own rules and coverage
✓Covers: doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic tests
✓No insurance premiums in most provinces (BC eliminated MSP premiums in 2020)

What's NOT Covered

✗Dental care (adults — some coverage for children varies by province)
✗Vision care (adults — coverage for children and seniors varies)
✗Prescription drugs (varies by province and age)
✗Ambulance fees (varies), mental health counseling (limited)

⚠ Important Note on Wait Times

Wait times can be significant for specialists and non-emergency procedures. It is common to wait weeks or months for a referral to a specialist, and non-urgent surgeries may have wait lists of several months. Emergency and urgent care is always prioritized.

Who Is Eligible?

Your eligibility depends on your immigration status and province of residence

✓

Canadian Citizens

Eligible in all provinces and territories. Apply for your provincial health card upon establishing residency.

✓

Permanent Residents

Eligible in all provinces. Some provinces have a 3-month waiting period before coverage begins. Get private insurance for the gap.

✓

Temporary Workers

Eligible in most provinces with a valid work permit. Coverage start date and rules vary — check your province.

International Students

Varies by province. Some provinces (BC, AB, SK, MB, NB, NL) cover students; others (ON, QC) require private insurance.

✗

Visitors / Tourists

NOT eligible for provincial healthcare. Must purchase travel insurance before arriving in Canada.

✓

Refugee Claimants

Covered under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP), which provides temporary healthcare coverage including dental and vision.

How to Get Your Health Card

Step-by-step process for registering for provincial healthcare

Gather Documents

Passport, work/study permit or PR card, proof of address (lease, utility bill), and two pieces of ID.

Visit Provincial Office

Go to your province's health registration office (e.g., ServiceOntario, Health Insurance BC, Alberta Health).

Submit Application

Complete the application form, provide your documents, and have your photo taken (where applicable).

Receive Your Card

Your health card will be mailed to you. Some provinces issue a temporary card on the spot.

Waiting Period by Province

Ontario3 months
British Columbia3 months
Quebec3 months
AlbertaImmediate
ManitobaImmediate
SaskatchewanImmediate

During the Waiting Period

•Buy private interim health insurance immediately
•Plans cost $100-200/month for basic coverage
•Covers emergency hospital visits and doctor appointments
•Providers: Manulife, Sun Life, Blue Cross, GMS

Documents Needed

•Valid passport
•Work permit, study permit, or PR card (COPR)
•Proof of address (lease agreement, utility bill)
•Two pieces of identification

Service	Covered?	Notes
Hospital stays	✓	Fully covered in all provinces
Doctor visits	✓	Family doctor and specialist visits (with referral)
Lab tests & bloodwork	✓	When ordered by a doctor
X-rays & diagnostic imaging	✓	MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds included
Surgeries	✓	Medically necessary surgeries fully covered
Maternity care	✓	Prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care
Mental health (psychotherapy)	✓	OHIP covers some; limited in other provinces
Dental care (adults)	✗	Not covered — need private insurance or employer benefits
Vision care (adults)	✗	Eye exams for children and seniors only in most provinces
Prescription drugs	✗	Varies — some provincial programs for children, seniors, low-income
Cosmetic surgery	✗	Never covered unless medically necessary
Ambulance	✗	Copay varies: $80 (BC) to $530+ (air ambulance)
Physiotherapy (outpatient)	✗	Some provinces cover limited visits; most require private insurance

Private Health Insurance

Most Canadians supplement public healthcare with private insurance for dental, vision, and prescriptions

Employer Benefits

Most full-time jobs include extended health benefits covering dental, vision, prescriptions, massage, and chiropractic.

What's Covered

Dental cleanings and procedures, eye exams and glasses, prescription drugs, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and mental health counseling.

Cost

Individual plans range from $100-300/month. Family plans cost more. Employer plans are partially or fully paid by the employer.

Newcomer Plans

Manulife, Sun Life, and Blue Cross offer special newcomer packages covering the waiting period and first year in Canada.

During the Waiting Period

If your province has a waiting period (e.g., Ontario, BC, Quebec — 3 months), purchase interim insurance immediately upon arrival. Companies like Manulife CoverMe, GMS Newcomer Plan, and Blue Cross offer plans starting from $3-5/day. Do not go without coverage — a single ER visit can cost $1,000+ and a hospital stay can cost $3,000-5,000+ per day.

Emergency Care

Know where to go and what to expect in a medical emergency

🚨

Call 911

For life-threatening emergencies: chest pain, severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, serious injuries, or unconsciousness.

🏥

Walk-in Clinics

For non-emergencies: minor injuries, infections, flu, rashes, prescription refills. No appointment needed. Open evenings and weekends in most cities.

📞

Telehealth (811)

Most provinces offer free 24/7 health advice by phone. Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who can help you decide if you need emergency care.

⏱

ER Wait Times

Non-urgent ER visits can mean 4-8+ hours of waiting. Patients are triaged by severity, not arrival time. Consider walk-in clinics for non-emergencies.

Mental Health Resources

Free and low-cost mental health support available across Canada

Crisis Lines (24/7, Free)

988Suicide Crisis Helpline — call or text 988 for immediate support
1-800-668-6868Kids Help Phone — for youth under 20, also available via text (text CONNECT to 686868)
1-866-585-0445Crisis Services Canada — for anyone in distress

Additional Support

✓Provincial plans: Some counseling covered (e.g., OHIP-covered psychotherapy in Ontario)
✓Settlement agencies: Free counseling services for newcomers adjusting to life in Canada
✓EAPs (Employee Assistance Programs): Most employers offer free confidential counseling (typically 5-10 sessions/year)
✓Community health centres: Sliding-scale or free counseling based on income

Tips for Newcomers

Essential healthcare tips to help you get started in Canada

💳

Apply for Health Card Immediately

Register for your provincial health card on your first day. The sooner you apply, the sooner your coverage begins (or the waiting period clock starts).

🛡

Get Private Insurance for Waiting Period

If your province has a waiting period, buy interim insurance right away. A single ER visit without coverage can cost thousands of dollars.

🩺

Find a Family Doctor

This can be difficult due to shortages. Register with your province's doctor-matching service. Use walk-in clinics in the meantime.

📄

Keep Immigration Documents Handy

Always carry your health card, and keep copies of your passport, work permit, and PR card accessible for medical appointments.

📱

Learn About Telehealth

Call 811 in most provinces for free medical advice 24/7. Virtual care apps like Maple and Tia Health offer online doctor consultations.

🏛

Register with Settlement Agencies

Free services for newcomers including health system navigation, translation help, and connecting to local healthcare resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about healthcare in Canada

Continue Exploring Life in Canada

Healthcare is just one piece of the puzzle. Explore our other guides on housing, banking, transportation, and more.

Living in Canada Guide →Planning Your Move →